Wendy Davis: Gov. Perry ‘tarnishes’ office with attack

Sen. Wendy Davis, the Fort Worth Democrat who became the face of the abortion rights battle with her filibuster against a bill to impose tighter restrictions on the procedure, shot back at Gov. Rick Perry’s personal attack on her.

She said the statement was “without dignity” and “tarnishes” the governor’s office.

Perry, speaking at a National Right to Life gathering in Dallas, cited Davis’s story in condemning her actions.

Perry said:

“Even the woman who filibustered the Senate the other day was born into difficult circumstances. She was the daughter of a single woman. She was a teenage mother herself. She managed to eventually graduate from Harvard Law School and serve in the Texas Senate.

“It’s just unfortunate that she hasn’t learned from her own example: that every life must be given a chance to realize its full potential, and that every life matters.”

Davis responded:

“Rick Perry’s statement is without dignity and tarnishes the high office he holds. They are small words that reflect a dark and negative point of view. Our governor should reflect our Texas values. Sadly, Gov. Perry fails that test.”

She previously has told her story in this video promoting higher education: